Connection Advice

[Russ80Two]

Hello

 

I wonder if someone could point me in the right direction. I am having an office / gaming room refurbed and am looking of a way to connect all my devices to one set of speakers.

 

I have no hardware at the moment so would need advice on speakers as well as possible amps and sound cards. The devices I need connected are as follows.

 

PC

Playstation 3

Xbox 360

 

I would like the PC to connect to my monitor with DVI and the consoles via HDMI.

 

I only really have space for 2.0 or 2.1 speakers and will also sometimes like to use headphones for all 3 devices. 

 

I hope all this makes sense, I basically just want to be able to plug everything in and then just press a button to change the sound source.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Russ

 

[t0wer]

no hardware? as in no audio hardware or no hardware period?

[h264]

I'd say just get a standard AV receiver that takes HDMI inputs and plug everything into it.

[Godlygamer23]

For a sound card, a Sound Blaster Z is a good option. It accepts SPDIF optical output as well as input.

[ShearMe]

Budget?

 

Receiver, Bookshelf speakers, sub

[Russ80Two]

Hello

 

Thanks for your help guys.

 

no hardware? as in no audio hardware or no hardware period?

 

I have no audio hardware at the moment. No Amp, Speakers or dedicated sound card in the PC.

 

Budget?

 

Receiver, Bookshelf speakers, sub

 

I don't want to spend a fortune as I don't really need excellent sound. I am purely after an easy way of connecting all the devices to one set of speakers with the ability to plug in headphones. I would say around £300 (450$).

 

Thanks

[Russ80Two]

I'd say just get a standard AV receiver that takes HDMI inputs and plug everything into it.

 

I think HDMI is fine for the consoles but I would rather use a Dual DVI connection for the monitor because I plan on using the ASUS 144hz version which can only take advantage of the 144hz through Dual DVI.

 

Thanks

[ShearMe]

I think HDMI is fine for the consoles but I would rather use a Dual DVI connection for the monitor because I plan on using the ASUS 144hz version which can only take advantage of the 144hz through Dual DVI.

 

Thanks

 

I think a standard A/V Receiver would suit you best. Connect PC sound via optical, connect consoles via HDMI. I guess the biggest problem with this would be size? Do you have room for a receiver and two bookshelf speakers?

[Russ80Two]

I think a standard A/V Receiver would suit you best. Connect PC sound via optical, connect consoles via HDMI. I guess the biggest problem with this would be size? Do you have room for a receiver and two bookshelf speakers?

 

I have loads of space for equipment its the speakers that I will struggle with.

 

I have a large corner desk and with the monitor tucked in the corner the speakers will look unsightly and stick out further than my monitor. If I pulled my monitor away from the corner to allow the speakers to sit next to the monitor I think it would look daft and the monitor would be too close to the front of the desk. 

 

The smaller the speakers the better or if they were less than around 12 cm high they could sit slightly under the screen.

 

Thanks for your help.

[ShearMe]

I have loads of space for equipment its the speakers that I will struggle with.

 

I have a large corner desk and with the monitor tucked in the corner the speakers will look unsightly and stick out further than my monitor. If I pulled my monitor away from the corner to allow the speakers to sit next to the monitor I think it would look daft and the monitor would be too close to the front of the desk. 

 

The smaller the speakers the better or if they were less than around 12 cm high they could sit slightly under the screen.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Do these look too big?

 

It sounds like a Logitech or Creative "theater-in-a-box" 2.1 system would be perfect for you, but I couldn't find any on amazon.co.uk that would allow you the inputs you want (you might be able to find one elsewhere, but I'm not exactly familiar with UK retail outlets). You could get a receiver and hook up one of these systems to it, but at that point I might just be rolling my eyes at you.  :rolleyes:

 

If you could figure out a way to incorporate bookshelf speakers on your desk, I'd go with something like a receiver, bookshelf speakers, and a sub (I'd probably pick a different sub, but that's just what I could find to give you an idea).

[Russ80Two]

Do these look too big?

 

It sounds like a Logitech or Creative "theater-in-a-box" 2.1 system would be perfect for you, but I couldn't find any on amazon.co.uk that would allow you the inputs you want (you might be able to find one elsewhere, but I'm not exactly familiar with UK retail outlets). You could get a receiver and hook up one of these systems to it, but at that point I might just be rolling my eyes at you.  :rolleyes:

 

If you could figure out a way to incorporate bookshelf speakers on your desk, I'd go with something like a receiver, bookshelf speakers, and a sub (I'd probably pick a different sub, but that's just what I could find to give you an idea).

 

It looks like I need to find some space ideas for some bookshelf speakers then. I wouldn't want you to roll your eyes at me....

 

So if I went for the Yamaha A/V Receiver what bookshelf speakers would you recommend? I like the looks of the Yamaha speakers you linked to. Will they give decent sound if I pair them with a SUB?

 

I would like to get the speakers sorted so I can play around with the desk plan to find some space to sit them. 

 

Also, What is the best position for the speakers? Close to the monitor and at ear height I assume?

 

Thanks for all your help ShearMe

[ShearMe]

It looks like I need to find some space ideas for some bookshelf speakers then. I wouldn't want you to roll your eyes at me....

 

So if I went for the Yamaha A/V Receiver what bookshelf speakers would you recommend? I like the looks of the Yamaha speakers you linked to. Will they give decent sound if I pair them with a SUB?

 

I would like to get the speakers sorted so I can play around with the desk plan to find some space to sit them. 

 

Also, What is the best position for the speakers? Close to the monitor and at ear height I assume?

 

Thanks for all your help ShearMe

 

I don't know how good or bad the receiver or speakers are, but since they're from a well-regarded brand and aren't super cheap I'd assume they'll be at least sufficient for you. They should sound good without a sub, but will be lacking in the lower frequencies which a sub is designed for.

 

These links should tell you what I cannot regarding placement, but if you're just using them while sitting at your desk, placement probably wont make a huge difference: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-0AQlYKjTUec/learn/learningcenter/home/nonHTspeak.html http://forums.audioreview.com/speakers/bookshelf-speaker-placement-2165.html http://www.stereophile.com/reference/1008speaks/